West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has declared that her party, the TMC, will independently contest all 42 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. Responding to Mamata Banerjee’s remarks, the Congress expressed doubts about the grand old party’s ability to secure even 40 seats in the polls.
Congress General Secretary Jairam Ramesh stated, “We assume she is still a part of the INDIA group, a coalition of 27 parties formed to fight the BJP. While her focus is on battling the BJP, our priority is also countering the BJP. I believe it would be better if we all unite. We should recognize that these are not local-level elections.”
Banerjee, during a public meeting in Murshidabad, criticized the Congress and expressed skepticism about their ability to win 40 seats. She revealed that she offered two seats to the Congress initially but was rebuffed when they sought more. Consequently, she challenged them to contest all 42 seats, a proposal that was rejected.
In response, Jairam Ramesh emphasized the need for unity against the BJP and urged parties to come together. The ongoing seat-sharing dispute between the TMC and Congress in West Bengal has led to a standoff, with Mamata Banerjee firmly declaring her party’s solo participation in the elections, refusing to share seats with Congress and the Communist Party of India (Marxist), both allies in the opposition INDIA bloc.
